City workers declare victory after Durham OKs bonuses. Here’s what they’ll get.

Durham will spend $6.5 million to give city employees bonuses after solid waste workers went on strike last month to demand increased pay.

The City Council’s unanimous vote Thursday came after weeks of infighting on the elected board. Council members agreed to exempt themselves from the bonuses, which break down like this:

• $5,000 for those making under $42,480 (102 people)
• $3,750 for those making up to $56,650 (688 people)
• $2,500 for those making up to $84,970 (942 people)
• $2,000 for those making up to $106,210 (316 people)
• $500 for those making above that (191 people)
• $1,000 for part-time employees (273 people)

Solid waste operator John Burwell called it a “victory” but added “the fight is not over.”

Union members are hoping for more money, they said in a news release, after Mayor Elaine O’Neal said during the meeting she’d like to find another $1.2 million to award everyone under $75,000 the full $5,000 in the near future.

The strike — workers called it a “standing down” because North Carolina prohibits collective bargaining for public employees — lasted six days in early September.

They refused to load the city’s trucks, leaving trash and recycling bins at the curb, prompting the city to send independent contractors on their routes.

“I think a big turning point was when our customers stood behind us,” Burwell said. “That was awesome, man. We love them so much.”

The workers’ two biggest asks were for raises skipped during the pandemic and immediate $5,000 bonuses for all general employees (non-management staff outside the police and fire departments).

“We came up with that (the $5,000 number) because we feel that is reasonable to get us out of our circumstances, our financial binds,” solid waste employee George Bacote said.

Bacote and Burwell both said they know coworkers who are homeless and living in hotels or their cars.

“Some can’t even afford cars,” Burwell said. “Others of us cannot afford to live in the city that we serve.”

Where does the money come from?

A union representative said most sanitation workers will receive $3,750 or $2,500.

The workers don’t have a union contract, but some contribute to UE Local 150, the N.C. Public Service Workers Union. A GoFundMe online fundraiser to cover the workers’ lost wages has exceeded $52,000.

The bonus money will come from the city’s reserves. Every year, leaders portion out some of these unspent tax dollars for one-time expenses.

Including the bonuses, the city is spending about $11.5 million of its reserves this year. Other items on the list are a volunteer appreciation reception, new shelving for police evidence, pressure washing for parking decks, and giving EMS training to the community safety department.

City Manager Wanda Page recommended not spending above her recommended $6.6 million to avoid depleting this “rainy day fund.”

It will remain above 25% of the annual budget — “best practice for a city of our size,” the budget director has said. Dropping below that percentage could downgrade Durham’s AAA credit rating, which would increase interest rates on bonds, costing taxpayers more when the city borrows money.

Pay raises, which unlike the bonuses would become part of employees’ ongoing salaries, will be taken up next year.

This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 4:02 PM.

Mary Helen Moore

The News & Observer

Mary Helen Moore covers Durham for The News & Observer. She grew up in Eastern North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill before spending several years working in newspapers in Florida. Outside of work, you might find her reading, fishing, baking, or going on walks (mainly to look at plants).